Splint



Jan. 9, 1940. I GORDQN 2,186,456

SPLINT Filed Jan. 8, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 \IIIIIIII IIIZII INVENTOR.

AA) ATTORNEY.

Jan. 9, 1940. D. GORDON 2,186,456

' SPLINT Filed Jan. 8, 1938 4 SheetsSheet 2 'IIIIIIIII INVENTOR. BY flwza/d fiordam M ATTORNEY.

Jan. 9, 1940. GORDON 2,186,456

SPLINT Filed Jan. 8, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENT OR.

Mi ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES TENT 3 OFFICE} 1 SPLINT n 'na ia Gordon, ew York, NJY.

Application January'8,

g .12 Claims.

This invention relates tosplints, and more particularly to so-called. traction or transportation splints for maintaini-n'g fixed traction upon a fractured limb immediately following the to fracture and-during transportation of the patient to a hospital or other place of treatment With increasing numbers of limb-fractures incident to automobile accidents, the popularization of s orts such as skiing, and other causes, prompt a'nd'efiective emergency treatment has become espe-. cially important. When a limb is fractured, mus

cular contraction ensues'withconsequent tendency to produce overriding of the ends" of the fractured bone. Such contractionshould be counteracted immediately after the fracture occurs and until the fracture has been reduced.

An object of my invention is the provision of anovel, simple, and efiicient splint, capable of being transported with particular facility and adapted'to be applied efiectivelyan'd expeditiously to maintain a fractured limb under traction.

The splint of my invention is, moreover, speedily v applicable to either fracturedlegs or fractured arms, and to widely varying sizes thereof A further important feature of myinvention resides in the provision of a traction' splint especially adapted for ski-ers and utilizing a pair of ski sticks as the longitudinal elements of the splint. A more specificaspect of the invention comprises the provision of a ski splintcomprising ski sticks for the longitudinal elements and means carried within the sticks iorforming the splint in cooperation with said sticks.

Through my invention the sticks, which can be used readily for skiing, can be quickly and easily converted into a practical splintior transporting, with traction, injuries of the long bones of the; upper or lower limbs received either in skiing or otherwise. My splint can be used to supplant the Wellknown full-ring Thomas splint," or, the Keller- Blake hinged hali-ringsplint for the application of emergency traction for transportation of fractures of the lower limb, and can also be employed in place of the MurrayeJones hinged-ring farm splint for emergency traction for transportation of fractures in the upper limb. h I

Another prominent feature 0 my invention comprises the provision of anelement (suhljor example, as a bicycle chain for other ch'ain of similarpropertie's) fieXiblein a given plane, in combination with meansfor attaeh'ing'thefsaifie to a pair'of longitudinal"elementstofform a ring of" variable radius; The invention" provides" also vfor attachmentof said flexible element to form a 1938, Serial No. 183,954

(01. 128-137) I ring with its planeeithersubstantially parallel to the longitudinal elements of the splint or transver'se thereto. 1 I 1 Further features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed; In the accompanying drawings: 1 Fig. 1 a view in elevation of a ski stick ing anelement ofmy ski-splint, said stick being shown partly broken away to show another ele View showingfthe Fig. 8 is "a'view taken on line 8'-8 of Fig. 7, Fig; 9 isf a' detail view showing the chain passed throughthe upper slots in oneof the headmemr Fig.' 10 is a View in "elevation showing the foot rest for the-splint, in folded position. I

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line ll-I {of Fig. 10.

or the head em-,

to form the ringele- FigUl-Jisa View showing the assembled ski splint.v

Fig. 12 is aviewillustrating thefapplica'tion or Z the ski splint.

- Fig; '13 is a View showing'the chain' applied to the head members, with its plane parallel to the longitudinal axesoi the "sticks, for application to-the shoulder above a fractured arm.

Fig.14 is a viewin transverse'section through the ski sticksof'Fig. 13, showing clamping means attached to the sticks iorreceivin'g the traction appl j a s- ,fl 1 Fig. 15 is'a view illustrating the application of the ski splint to abrokenar g 1 Fig.16 is a View (ii-another form of splint em bodyingf my invention,- and utilizing solid, as distinguished from hollow, longitudinal members.

Fig. 18is a'view of a'furtherimodificationf 11; Fig} 19 is a view'in side elevationofthecon struction shown in Figf-18, looking inthe direction of thearrow in Fig. 18.

Referring f to Figs. 1 and '21 of the drawings,-

Fig." 17 is a view taken on line' Il-Jlcf Fig.

there are shown at 5, 6, a pair of hollow ski sticks. I

These sticks may be of, suitable metal, such as aluminum, Duralumin, or other light metal alloy of adequate strength. Each stick may have a conventional foot ring 'I secured thereto near its lower end, and the usual strap loop 6 attached near its upper end. These elements are well known.

In carrying out my invention 1 apply to eac of the sticks 5, 6, an upper tubular member 9 vided with a slightly enlarged head, which is preferably knurled to afford a grip, and which also serves to hold in place the washer II to,

which the strap 8 is applied. Since the structure of the tubular members 9 is identical, 2.,

description of one will suffice.

Each member 9 is threaded over a-portion of its length, .as indicated at I2, for engagement with a corresponding screw thread I3 on the interior of the upper portion of the stick 5 or 6.

Each member 9 is also provided with a pin I4 attached thereto and extending across the lower interior portion thereof. The pin I4 of one of said members serves as a means for carrying the flexible element I5; while pin I4 of the other member 9 provides a point of attachment for other elements of the splint as hereinafter described. Through the members 9 and their pins I4 the chain I5 and other splint elements are carried within the hollow sticks as illustrated in Figs. 1-3.

The element I5 may be any suitable element flexible in a givenplane to form a ring of variable radius andis illustrated as a roller chain of the type commonly employed in bicycles. The chain comprises pairs of links I6, I6, each pair of said links having spacer elements in the form of rollers IT, IT interposed therebetween, said rollers being mounted on pins I8 extending through said links. Interposed between adjacent pairs of the links I6, I6 are pairs of outer links I9, [9, said links I9, I9 of each pair being mounted at one end ona pin I8 of a pair of the links .I6, I6 and at the other end on a pin I8 of the next adjacent pair of'links' I6, I6. Said links I9, I9, as shown, are positioned exteriorly of the links I6, I6. At one end, the chain I5 is provided with a hook 20 adapted to engage pin I4 of one of the members 9 for transportation within stick 5 or 6 (see Fig. 3) and also adapted to engage one of the rollers I! to complete a ring when the splint is assembled.

Each of the members 9 has a pair of lower (or distal) openings 2|, 22 cut in opposite sides thereof, which openings are of suiificient size to permit the end of the chain I5 opposite the hook 20 to be passed therethrough with the axes of the rollers extending longitudinally of the members 9, as illustrated in Fig. 6. After the chain is so passed through said openings it is moved toward the knurled head II] into narrower openings or slots 23, 24, communicating with the respective openings 2|, 22. The slots,23 24, as shown in Fig. 9, are of sufficient width to permit the links I6, I6, and I9, I9, to pass therethrough, when applied as above described, with the rollers ,I I extending longitudinally, but said slots are not of sufiicient width to permit roller II topass the upper edge of the stick to prevent the chain from dropping completely out of the slots 23, 24. At this point the threads |2 on the member 9 engage the threads i 3 in the stick, and a few turns of the latter, while the knurled head I is held, will lock the chain in position by drawing down the member 9 and clamping the chain between the upper edge of the ski stick and the head II]. The degree to which the member 9 is screwed into the stick determines whether the chain will be at a right angle to the stick, or a few degrees from a right angle, as is sometimes desirable.

The longer end of the chain is then passed through the other member 9, and a sufiicient length of chain allowed between the members 9 to form half a circle of such size as will encompass the upper posterior part of the thigh of the injured person, so that the sticks which will form the parts of the splint to support the limb will rest on the inner and outerl aspects of the thigh one hundred and eighty degrees from each other. The stick 6 is then screwed into its member 9 and the chain locked to said stick. This furnishes the upper ends of the sticks with a flexible open ring (as shown in Figs. 7 and 12) which may be applied to theposterior aspect of the upper thigh over the clothing or over a pad formed with clothing.

Means are provided for holding together the distal or lower ends of the sticks to complete the splint for use on the lower limb. Such means comprises a pair of metal cross bars 25, 26 having their ends slightly curved to fit the sticks 5, 6. Said members 25, 26 are applied to the sticks as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 12, and are provided with holes for receiving a pair of bolts 21. The curved ends of the bars 25, 26 are applied to the distal end portions of the sticks at a suitable distance from the chain ring I to extend beyond the foot of the leg to which the splint is to be applied. After the bolts 2'! are inserted through the openings in said bars a pair of Wing nuts 28 (Fig. .14) may be threaded on said bolts to secure the bars 25, 26 to the sticks.

The splint having been formed as above described, it is applied as follows to a fractured leg:

A traction device or straps are applied about the foot, or about padding on the ankle, as in accepted emergency practice, and the leg is pulled longitudinally. The closed portion of the chain ring is applied, padded with clothing or over the clothing, to the upper and posterior aspect of the thigh with the ring against the pelvic bone. The hook 26 of the chain is then engaged into the under surface of the opposite free end so that the ring fits the circumference of the thigh snugly. The sticks 5, 6 now extend along opposite sides of the leg, as shown in Fig. 12, with the cross bars 25, 26 beyond the patients foot. The traction straps are then tied to said cross bars and twisted by a stick or bar 29 (as in standard practice), after which said bar is rested on the sticks 5, 6.. The limb may then be supported and fastened to the splint, as by strips of cloth passed under the leg and attached to the sticks, as in standard first aid methods.

I have also provided means, adapted to cooperate with the bolts 21, for supporting the splint andleg above the ground or other level. For this purpose there is disclosed a bar 30 of channel formation, which has pivoted thereto a pair of bars 3|, 3|, each of whichhas a threaded opening 32 in an end thereof. When not in use, the bars 3|, 31 are folded into the channel of the bar 30.

When, however, the, support is tobeutiliz'ed; the. bars 3|, 3|. are unfolded, and,.instead of apply-- ing the: wing nuts 28 to theboltsl21, the latter are threaded intothe openings 92 in said bars, as shown in Fig. 8. The distal end ofthe splint may thus. be supported by the bars 34, 32,..and the splintthereby. caused to'support the .leg above the ground orother level on' which'the patient rests, instead of. permitting the injuredlimb to support the splint as not infrequently occurs in practice. J I

The heads of the bolts 2! are shown provided with openings 33 forrreceiving a small pointed object to be used as awrench when the fingers are cold. 1 Y Thebars 25, 2B andthe support. comprising the bars30, 3|, may be. carried, when notin. use, in either of the sticks 5, .6; Whenthe bars 9|, 3|,

are folded into'the channel ofthenbar 39, as

shown in Fig. 10,. the assembly may be inserted into stick 5.0156. (Fig: 2.). and supported, together with bars 25, 2-6. from the associated member 9. For. example, when the parts are to be stowed in one of the sticks, the support 39, 3|,may be connected .toithe. bars 25 by awire34 (Fig. 2 passed through. one of the bolt holes in said bar and also through opening. 33 in the head of one of encompassing. the shoulder (Figs. 13 and 15),

the bolts 21. Bar 25 may similarly be connected at its other end. to bar. 26 by a wire 35 through the boltholes in adjacent ends of said-bars, and bar 25 may have awire sit-passed through the bolt. hole in the opposite end of said bar and Se, cured to pin l4 ofsmember 9. Then upon insertingsaid support 39, 3|, and attached members 25, 26 into the stick, and threading the member Q-thereinto, said support and members are effectively carried. ready for expeditious withdrawal whenever necessary.

In case of a fracture of the arm the chain is not passed transversely through the. members 9 but is attached as'followsi I I Referring to Fig. 13, a pair of the'outer links 19- are chosen, and. the adjacent inner links 15 attached .to the. opposite ends of said-links I9 are bent. toward. each. other. The outer links are passed. through the larger aperture 2| in the :member 9 and are pushed upwardsso that the inner links I 6;:project. through the slot 23. The axes of the rollers .I'I' within thernember 9 now extend transversely of the longitudinal axis 'Iheslot 23 is'of. insuflicient width 1 under surface of the shoulder .as a crutch, and another pair of outer links I9 and associated pairs of inner links; are then passed into the other member '9'and are' fixed in position by the tendediupwardly onein front of and one behind the shoulder, and, when applied over a pad of clothing, can be locked by hook 2|] to form a ring sticksbel'ow theihand and are secured to the sticks by the bolts. 21. and wing nuts 28. Traction straps applied to the patients wrist are then.

attached to said cross bars and are twisted by a stick 29in the-customary manner to subject the arm' to traction. The arm is then stabilized inthe splint by standard first aid methods. The

folding support 30, 3| is not employed ,in the application of;.thesplint to thearm.

' 5 While theopening 2| in each member 9 is of sufiicient size to receive the pair of outer links I9 and adjacent pairs of inner links I6, with'roll ers IlI {transverse to the longitudinal axes of member 9, as above described the opening 22 is too narrow for this purpose. I Also the .slot 24. is too narrow to permit the pairs of links I6 to project therethrough under this condition, The proper insertion ;of the pairs of links aforesaid to permit the chain toextend in a plane parallel to the longitudinal -axes: of thesticks is thus facilitated and their retention in proper position upon insertion of thefsticks'is insured.

The hook 29, maybe providedwith a .p'rojec- '20 tion 2| adapted to gengageinthe-open space in the first link of the excess portionof the chain to insure locking thehook in position.- In Figs. 16 and 17,1 have provided for attach-- .ment of the chain I5 to Wooden sticks 49,. 4|.

The latter may be ski. sticks or. they may be formed. of sections capable of convenient trans- 1 portation, in an automobile or. otherwise, and held together by suitable sleeves or other couplings 42; 42 when assembled. For attaching the chain i5 to said sticks I employmembers 43, 43, having thesame arrangements of slots as hereinbe-fore described in connection with the members 9. Each of the'members 43 is provided with an extension. 43'. having. an inner. cylinjunction with. the. members :9, and is retained in said members why the upper ends of the sticks 403and 4| inxthe same way as it is, retained'in members 9 by. the upper ends of thesticks 5, 6.

The sticks 40, 4| areunited near their lower .orjdistal ends by a "bar 44, having concave ends conforming: with the curvature of'said sticks and having pins :45, 4.5l=.extending. from said ends and passing through andfirmly engaged with suitable openings in theisticks. Said bar 44' may 5.

receive the traction devices orv straps in the same manner as the cross bars 25, 26 previously described. A'supportrmay be provided comprising 'a bar 48 having-openingswhichreceive pins,

47' projecting from upright forming bars 48, 48 I (Fig. .17) having :concave ends engageable withthe under surfaces 01 the sticks 4|), 4|. Pins 49, 49 extend from the upper ends. of said bars.

4-8; 48 and enter apertures/in the sticks 40, 4|,

as shown. The bars and '49 may be assembled and disassembled with. facility, as may also the bar MWilih' respect to the'sticks 49, 4|.

In l8-and 19 a modified formof support for the sticks 40; 4| is" -i11ustrate-d, said support comprising a bar Ell-having apertures which receive the Sends of upright bars 5|, 5|. At their upper ends the bars 5|;, 5|.'have heads 52, 52 apertured to receive the sticks 49,4I. The bars 5t may be slidablyadjusted along said-sticks to 'position'the support jasdesired.

The terms. and expressions. which I have 'employed:- are "used: as: terms of -'description andnot of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any-equivalents of the featuresj shown and deins,

scribed or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible" within the scope of the invention claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A traction splint comprising a pair. of Iongitudinal elements, a member flexible in a given plane adapted to form a ring'of variable radii, and means for attaching said member to said elements, said means comprising hollow members, one for each of said elements and mounted on an end thereof, each of said hollow members being provided with an opening in a wall thereof and a slot in said wall communicating with said opening and narrower than the latter, said flexible member being adapted to be received by said openings and passed into said slot.

. 2.'A traction splint comprising a pair of longitudinal elements, a member flexible in a given plane and adapted to form aring of variable radii, and means for attaching said member to said elements, said means comprising hollow members, one for each of said elements and mounted on an end thereof, each of said hollow members having slotted walls through which said flexible member is adapted to be passed.

3. A traction splint comprising a pair of longitudinal elements, a chain comprisingalternate pairs of links having spacer elements therebetween, and other pairs of links receiving said alternate pairs therebetween and connecting the same, means for attaching said member to said elements, said means comprising hollow members, one for each of said elements and mounted on, an end thereof, each of said hollow members being provided with openings in its walls for enabling said chain to be passed therethrough, and means for connecting portions of said chain to form a ring of variable radii. 4. A traction splint comprising a pair of longitudinal elements, a chain comprising alternate lpairs of links having spacer elements therebetween, and other pairs of links receiving said alternate pairs therebetween and connecting the same, each'of said longitudinal elements having a hollow member at one end thereof provided With openings in its walls for enabling said chain to be passed therethrough,. said openings communicating with slots to enable said chain to be passed into said slots in a direction transverse to its direction of passage through said openings, the walls of said slots beingspaced apart a distance insufiicient to permit a spacer element of said chain to pass therethrough, each of said longitudinal elements being adapted to be moved longitudinallyinto the respective hollow member to confine the chain therein, and means for connecting portions of said chain to form a ring of variable radii.

5. A traction splint comprising a pair of longitudinalelements, a chain comprising alternate pairs of links having spacer elements therebetween, and other pairs of links receiving said alternate pairs therebetween and connecting the same, each of saidv longitudinal elements having a hollow member at one end thereof provided with an opening in a wall thereof, said opening being in communication with a slot in said wall, said opening being of such dimension as to receive a portion of said chain comprising alternate pairs of said links folded one over the other together with the pair of outer links connecting said alternate pairs, and said slot being of such r tween, and other pairs of links receiving said alternate pairs therebetween and connecting the same, each of said longitudinal elements having a .hollow'member at one end thereof provided with openings in its walls for enabling said chain to be passed therethrough, said openings communicating with slots to enable said chain to be passed Itherein transversely to its direction of passage through said openings, the walls of said slots being spaced apart a distance insuflicient to permit a spacer element of said chain to pass therethrough, one of said openings in each of said hollow members being further of such dimension as to receive a portion of said chain comprising alternate pairs of said links folded one over the other together with the pair of outer links connecting said alternate pairs, the slot communicating with said last mentioned opening being of such dimension as to receive said chain portion and to permit said alternate pairs of links to, extend therethrough but of insuflicient width to permit said pair of outer links to pass therethrough, each of said longitudinal elements being adapted to be, moved longitudinally into the respective hollow member to confine the associated chain portion therein, and means for connecting portions of said chain to form a ring of variable radii.

7. A traction splint comprising a pair of longitudinal elements, a member flexible in a given plane and adapted to form a ring of variable radius, and means comprising slotted hollow members on said longitudinal elements for enabling said flexible member to be attached to said elements to form a ring with its plane either substantially parallel with the axes of said elements or transverse thereto.

8. A splint comprising a hollow longitudinal ski stick, and a splint support contained entirely within said stick.

9. A splint comprising a hollow longitudinal ski stick, and a traction bar contained entirely within said stick.

10. A splint comprising a hollow longitudinal ski stick and a ring forming member contained entirely within said'stick.

11. A splint comprising a hollow longitudinal element, and a support comprising a channel bar having a pair of upright members pivoted thereto, said support when folded being adapted to be inserted into said element for transportation.

12. A splint comprising a pair of longitudinal elements, each of said elements having at one .end a hollow member provided with slotted walls, and a chain extending through said slotted walls and retained between the ends of said elements and portions of said members.

DONALD GORDON. 

